Kate VanDerveer

Kate Harker VanDerveer of rural Frazee, MN, died Friday, April 16, 2004, in MeritCare Hospital, Fargo, ND. She was 44. Kate was born on August 29, 1959 in Evanston, IL. During high school, her family moved from Deerfield, IL in suburban Chicago to Frazee, MN - a place that would hold special meaning for her for the rest of her life. After graduation, Kate attended Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA then transferred to Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY where she met her future husband, David VanDerveer. They were married at St. Mary of the Lakes Church in Pelican Rapids, MN on July 28, 1984. After living in Fargo, ND for several years, the couple moved to Omaha, NE, and Kansas City, MO before returning to rural Frazee to live there year ?round with their two daughters. Kate was an extraordinary and unusually gifted woman. Her life reflected her deeply rooted Christian faith and values, which were nurtured by her parents and found expression in her acceptance, generosity and heartfelt kindness toward others. She made friends easily no matter where she lived, and always seemed to have a winsome smile and encouraging word. She was warm, engaging and had a great sense of humor. Somehow, one could not help but feel a little better after being with her. She was always more interested in the needs of others than in her own ? even in the difficult final months of her life. Kate was first and foremost a devoted wife and mother. She loved spending time with her husband, children and extended family, especially at the lake. She was also a gifted artist and had an unusual appreciation for ?all things bright and beautiful.? Her creative abilities took form in a variety of media including oil and watercolor paintings, pen and chalk, sculpture and design. She had a keen sense of architectural and spatial design, and also enjoyed landscaping and gardening. Kate had a passion for culture, music and the arts. She was on the staff of the Creative Arts Studio, Fargo, ND, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN and Bemis Arts School in Omaha, NE, where she helped people of all ages gain an appreciation for the arts and develop their own artistic abilities. She had a special place in her heart for the physically and mentally challenged. Kate loved to travel and especially enjoyed spending time in the mountains of Colorado, on the seashore of the Atlantic Ocean and in the restaurants, museums and theatres of New York City. She enjoyed water- and snow-skiing and other athletic pursuits. Kate lived life to the fullest and has forever and profoundly changed the lives of those who were blessed to have known her. Kate will be missed deeply by all. She is survived by David, husband of 20 years; her two children, Carol and Susan; her parents, Fred and Susan Harker of Frazee, MN; her four sisters, Kerry (John) Hainze of White Fish Bay, WI; Sara (Dave) Olson of Mahtomedi, MN; Polly (Paul) Smith of Fargo, ND; and Lucy (Dave) Spaeth of West Fargo, ND. Funeral Service: Castaway Club, Pelican Lake, Pelican Rapids, MN at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 22, 2004. No flowers please. A scholarship fund has been established in Kate?s honor to make it possible for regional youth to attend a Young Life camp. Please send donations in care of: Kate VanDerveer - Young Life Campers Scholarship Fund Midwest Bank 613 E. Highway 10 P.O. Box 703 Detroit Lakes, MN 56502 Arrangements made by Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo. Online guestbook at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com